in rear, ridden 2 out(normal 3 out), tailed off
close up, ridden and headway omitted 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up last
in touch, ridden omitted 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up last
led, headed soon after 2nd, led again 2 out (normal 3 out), headed omitted 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, ridden and headway 3 out(normal 4 out), kept on pace
always towards rear, tailed off
close up, lost place 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, led omitted 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
held up, headway and close up 5th, ridden when weakened bend approaching straight, tailed off
towards rear, ridden 3 out(normal 4 out), tailed off
keen led soon after 2nd, ridden and headed omitted 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up last
close up, ridden 3 out(normal 4 out), weakened next, pulled up last
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner omitted 2 out, kept on one pace
Withdrawn
EXCALIBUR opened his account over hurdles with a victory over today’s trip at Sedgefield earlier in the month. It could pay to stick with Micky Hammond’s grey now he’s got his head in front and he’s preferred to stablemate Strike West. The latter beat Aniknam when winning at Carlisle last year while Casimir Du Clos won over fences here before finishing runner-up over these hurdles and steps up in trip. Espoir Moriviere moves in the opposite direction having placed over a longer distance here recently and looks best of the rest.
Strike West (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, soon driven, lost touch after next, tailed off when pulled up before 6th, at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
McCrackens Gate (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, closer in 5th before halfway, ridden and no impression from 4 out, 6th of 10, 30 1/2l behind Quamino (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Nov.
Wherewouldugetit (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 12, dist behind Hey Bob (10-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Flaming Glory (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, never on terms, 4th of 11, 29l behind Tekiblue de L'Orme (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led before 4 out, jumped left next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 21 3/4l behind Wor Verge (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, headway next, plugged on and no impression, 4th of 14, 20l behind Excalibur (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Ex S'elance (FR) 40-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, struggling before 5th, 11th of 14, dist behind Frightened Rabbit (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Calliope 8-1 (11-4) Led to 5 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 14, 20 3/4l behind Excalibur (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Casimir Du Clos (FR) 5-2 (10-8) Led early, tracked leaders, slow 3rd, lost place after next, rallied after 4 out, led again before 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied and every chance, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Wor Verge (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Excalibur (POL) 9-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, went 3rd from 3 out, led before last, soon ridden, kept on strongly run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Starplex (10-8) by 6l, 14 ran.
Dorothy's Flame 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Quiet Penny (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Ruler Of The Nile 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Excalibur (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Aniknam (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear on outside, blundered 2nd, not fluent and behind 6th, 10th of 12, dist behind Percy Thrower (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Espoir Moriviere (FR) 13-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, every chance when mistake last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind No Trumps (11-12) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Innis Shannon (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
